Platform: Windows

When best-selling true crime author Regina Blacklock turns up dead, the police think it's suicide or an accident. Her friend Claire Washburn, chief medical examiner for San Francisco, knows better, and not just because Regina apparently scrawled Claire's name at the scene of the crime before she died. Women's Murder Club 4: Little Black Lies is a hidden-object mystery adventure about a little town and a very big secret. Based on the best-selling books by James Patterson, the Women's Murder Club series is about four women who are frequently drawn together to use their varying skills to solve mysteries. Which is entirely different from the murder club I have with my friends... uh... forget I said that.

Swapping perspectives between the women, you'll solve puzzles and search for clues in a remote town that would like to pull in the tourists, but resents you prying around old wounds. See, Regina, it turns out, had intended to use a 35-year-old unsolved murder as the basis for her next book; a young girl who was rumoured to be involved with a cult, and was discovered dismembered decades ago. Although the police had their suspects, they couldn't prove anything... but Regina might have gotten a little too close to the truth in her investigations. Sounds like a good time for you to go sticking your nose in, too, eh?

Most of the game is played like a standard point-and-click, searching locales for items or points of interest and gathering inventory objects to be used later. Hidden-object scenes are marked with shimmering sparkles (ooooh) and playing one will net you a few items you'll need to use. Most of the puzzling is split equally between figuring out what item you need to use where, and good ol' fashioned brain twisters. If you get stuck, clicking on the recharging flashlight next to your character's portrait will give you a clue. The game also comes with a built-in strategy guide that can be accessed at any time by clicking on the folder icon in the bottom right corner.

Analysis: I've never read any of James Patterson's books, but Little Black Lies reminds me of what I call "afternoon snacks"; short, pulpy novels you devour in a sitting. All the characters and plot points are about what you'd expect in your typical contemporary mystery story, up to and including the usual small town stereotypes. If you've read a suspense story written within the last twenty years, you've probably seen variations on all these characters before. And yet, it works. It's entertaining, has a few good twists, and most importantly, is told well. Things unfold at a natural pace, and the game is good at giving out just enough clues to keep you interested. The story isn't going to break any new ground, but it's got a likable cast, and is at least as interesting as most of your standard lineup of cop dramas. If you enjoy NCIS, CSI, L&O, or any other random grouping of letters, you'll probably enjoy this too. (Speaking of, isn't it about time Crossing Jordan got its own hidden-object game?)

The grim and gritty atmosphere the story calls for doesn't quite make it into the gameplay, which isn't that challenging, and is occasionally downright goofy. Characters tend to make large leaps of logic and do things that seem absolutely pointless just because the plot requires them to, or because it makes the game longer. It's also a little disappointing that the game involves so much backtracking and in such a limited range; you'll explore the same places repeatedly with different characters, usually with only minor changes, and solve the same hidden object scenes multiple times before you see any new locations. Even then, the game still sends you back to places you've been before, over and over, until you're ready to set that freaking library on fire just to change the scenery and... uh... sorry... went to a place there that was kinda... hm. Where was I?

But despite this, Little Black Lies is a solid title. It's incredibly well presented, with great artwork, sleek interfaces, and a nicely done soundtrack. It's great to see such a professional piece of work come out on the market, and while fans will be happy to see their favourite characters return true to form, newcomers (such as myself) will also find the game fun and accessible. It's not incredibly original, but it will provide a satisfying chunk of creepy mystery solving to keep you sniffing for clues for a good long while.

I'm having trouble in the Crystal Barn-I can only fine one of the 2 balls of yarn (the one from the library). According to the strategy guide I was supposed to run into Sympathy when I got the key to the general store, but I never did. Now when I go back to the Crystal Barn, I only have one ball of yarn and can't find the other on the shelves. Any suggestions?

Hi Sandy! You only run into Sympathy after you've solved the loom puzzle, which you need the yarn for. I think you might be looking at the wrong location if you're using the in-game strategy guide. :) The yarn locations SHOULD be:

The one you got, which was in the library storage room.

From a hidden-object scene you need to play in the Crystal Barn. The scene is the wall RIGHT next to the entrance, and the yarn is one of the objects you have to collect. You'll receive it upon completion.

The remaining yarn balls can be collected from the display on the wall. (It looks like a bunch of small boxes with yarn in each one, can't miss it!) You can only take the yarn you need, so refer to the pattern you picked up for help.

I'm having the same problem that Sandy had... but I'm not being taken to the hidden object puzzle when I go to the Crystal Barn. The only two areas that I can click on is the loom and the desk. I don't even see the sparkler effect that tells me there's a hidden object puzzle in that room. Should I reinstall it?

Jazz... thank you SO much for that hint. You have to look on the desk where the book/loom pattern is and click on the pattern to put it in the inventory. Once you do that, you go back to the store and the hidden object puzzle is available. now I can go forward. Thanks again!

I'm having some trouble at the Lighthouse. I opened the tool box beside the lighthouse, but I can't get the screwdriver. The detective keeps saying that she doesn't know what she will do with it but she will remember that the box is there. Have I missed anything?

Did you already check everything else? Sometimes you will need to do other things first to trigger the action you really need.

#Check out the rocks and the locked toolbox and door.
#Grab a flyer from the display.
#Move the mat by the door and take the key.
The key doesn't fit the door so use it to open the toolbox and take the screwdriver.

Has anyone else had performance issues with this game? It is slow an unresponsive at times - for no apparent reason. There is time where the system seems to be stall - adding items to inventory seems to take forever at times?

I am currently in investigation 7 - trying to line up the headstone rubbings...but can not complete since the delay is soooo horrible that I do not have the grandularity I need to complete. Opening and moving around the journal and stratey guide is horrible slow... what is the deal??

I am also having trouble getting the brochure under the door. I've already got the screwdriver, but the game will not let me slide the brochure under the door. Anyone know why? It's really frustrating.

I am having trouble with the lighhouse. I dont sem to be able to slide the flyer under the door. I keep trying and it just doesnt work. Acording to he picture it shows the flyer poins sttaight, but when i grab the flyer it is crooked. Please help!!!! I love womens murder club games.

ok, forgot the coffee sample, duh! now at mechanic shop and i'll be darned if i can get those screws out. click on em, get the blue arrows but nothing happens. have clicked on all 9 screws a bazillion times and still nothing. board is still stuck. help!

Hi dknorman,
Did you take a look at the walkthrough above the comments? It explains how to deal with the bones. When you get them, you will be automatically transported to the crime lab to continue the game.

I did one rubbing at the cemetery, but it did not go into inventory. I can not get anymore to stick. Every time I try to attached a paper I get a red X when I put it on the tombstone. Get message "I need to do one grave at a time"

also on Jayisgames

>
Dora—
High-score centric "jump and run" arcade gameplay gets gorgeous in this simple but stunning iOS game about a boy trying to chase down his escaped herd of llamas on his snowboard. Changing time and weather as well as simple, addictive mechanics makes Alto's Adventure a scenic, oddly soothing treat.
...

>
Dora—
Anita works on a beautiful tropical island for the local cruise line, so when a passenger's luggage goes missing, she's got to track it down in this short and silly point-and-click game from Carmel Games!
...

>
Kimberly—
Who knows what absurd thing you'll find lurking under the surface of the earth in this strategic match-3 game. Draw a line connecting three or more of the same item to upgrade the item into something new. How deep can you go?
...

JayIsGames offers a free online experience with the best free online games. You can read our daily honest reviews and walkthroughs, play games, discuss about them. JayIsGames.com is a leading Flash and Online game review site. Since 2003, we review every day only the best, including casual games, flash games, arcade games, indie games, download games, shooting games, escape games, RPG games, puzzle games, mobile games and much more.
Submit a Game: Don't just read reviews or play games on JayIsGames.com, submit them! Submit your game now and we might release it in homepage. Use our game submission form.
Check us back often! We add new games every day and only the best games!